he BBC is considering taking on US broadcasters such as Disney and Nickelodeon in the global battle for children�s TV audiences by launching its own kids� channels around the world. The BBC currently only has one such venture, BBC Kids in Canada, but has a large library of children�s programming - including Teletubbies, Tweenies, Grange Hill and Cave Girl - that it could draw on to launch more international services. Launching more international channels is seen as one way in which the BBC�s commercial subsidiary, BBC Worldwide, can achieve its target of doubling profits within two years.

BBC Worldwide currently operates 19 wholly owned or joint-venture pay TV channels in the UK and abroad, which generated revenues of �78.7 million in the 12 months to March 31 2004. In the UK, BBC Worldwide operates nine pay TV channels, including UK Gold and UK Style, as part of its UKTV joint venture with Flextech, the programming arm of Telewest. ... more